The Wii has a pretty great video game library. But did you know that its own creator, Nintendo, has neglected to publish several games that could make it even better? Sure, some of these games probably wouldn't sell all that much when compared to giant blockbusters like Wii Sports Resort or Super Mario Galaxy, but they would please a certain segment of the fan base. Not only that, they would probably still give Nintendo a return on their investment, even if it were modest. The following are my top picks for games Nintendo should have localized for the U.S. but didn't.
Disaster: Day of Crisis
Despite the final product resembling a series of minigames more than the survival game many thought it would be, Disaster Day of Crisis turned out to be an interesting twist on the genre from an unlikely source. It was developed by Monolith Soft, a developer well known for their RPGs. While some aspects of the game were a mixed bag, the shooting segments looked like a lot of fun. Since the game is already in English it doesn't seem like it would be too hard to localize.
Disaster: Day of Crisis
Despite the final product resembling a series of minigames more than the survival game many thought it would be, Disaster Day of Crisis turned out to be an interesting twist on the genre from an unlikely source. It was developed by Monolith Soft, a developer well known for their RPGs. While some aspects of the game were a mixed bag, the shooting segments looked like a lot of fun. Since the game is already in English it doesn't seem like it would be too hard to localize.
Captain Rainbow
Captain Rainbow is a quirky action adventure title that follows the titular hero on his quest restore his own popularity by helping mostly forgotten Nintendo characters from long ago. Birdo from Super Mario Bros 2 and Little Mac from Punch Out! make appearances, along with several other lesser known characters. Because of this game's quirky nature, and its abundance of references to games that weren't released in America mean that this isn't a probable candidate for translation. It also happens to be the worst selling Nintendo published game for Wii, selling just over 6,000 copies the week it launched.
Fatal Frame 4: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse
Developed by Tecmo with development input from Grasshopper Manufacture, this game sounded excellent on paper. It even looked gorgeous. Unfortunately, the controls weren't up to par so Nintendo decided not to release it in America. The flashlight was controlled with the tilt of the remote instead of implementing the obvious answer, pointer controls. What seems like an easy fix has kept this otherwise great game from being localized. I hope Nintendo figures something out, a new Fatal Frame has recently been announced for Wii and I would like to see that localized as well.
Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories
In this game players guide Ashley in her quest to unlock the mysteries of her past by helping her gather clues while speaking to a variety of characters, investigating her surroundings and solving puzzles. This point and click graphic novel adventure game is the sequel to a DS game that actually was released in America. While that title might not have lit the sales charts on fire, it did garner a few fans that would love to try the sequel. It was released in Europe, so it does have an English translation. Why not release it here and pick up a few extra bucks?
Zangeki No Reginleiv
This is perhaps the most mind boggling exclusion on this list. Developed by Sandlot, makers of Earth Defense Force 2017, this game follows a similar premise- but instead of defending the earth from giant insect aliens you are defending towns from mythological giants. The game features Wii Motion Plus so that gamers could accurately chop monsters into pieces and online support so friends could fight them co-operatively, two things that aren't seen that often on the Wii. This game was actually shown in the U.S. at E3 a few years back under the name "Dynamic Slash." I am wondering what has happened since then that has made Nintendo decide not to release it here. Could it be that they are afraid to publish a game with such intense gore because they are afraid it will tarnish their image here? Why not stick it, and every other Mature rated game, in a black game case like they did in Japan?
Those aren't all of the games Nintendo has neglected to localize, only some of the best. Other games, like Takt of Magic, will become lost in the sands of time. Here's hoping Monolith Soft's newest RPG, Xenoblade, doesn't meet the same fate. It is a beautiful game that is sure to find a following here as well as set the stage for Mistwalker's attempt at Final Fantasy killer, The Last Story. These games might not bring in as much cash as New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but they would play an important part in changing the Wii's perception as a game system for soccer moms and their children, something that might end up selling even more systems and games in the future.
Captain Rainbow is a quirky action adventure title that follows the titular hero on his quest restore his own popularity by helping mostly forgotten Nintendo characters from long ago. Birdo from Super Mario Bros 2 and Little Mac from Punch Out! make appearances, along with several other lesser known characters. Because of this game's quirky nature, and its abundance of references to games that weren't released in America mean that this isn't a probable candidate for translation. It also happens to be the worst selling Nintendo published game for Wii, selling just over 6,000 copies the week it launched.
Fatal Frame 4: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse
Developed by Tecmo with development input from Grasshopper Manufacture, this game sounded excellent on paper. It even looked gorgeous. Unfortunately, the controls weren't up to par so Nintendo decided not to release it in America. The flashlight was controlled with the tilt of the remote instead of implementing the obvious answer, pointer controls. What seems like an easy fix has kept this otherwise great game from being localized. I hope Nintendo figures something out, a new Fatal Frame has recently been announced for Wii and I would like to see that localized as well.
Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories
In this game players guide Ashley in her quest to unlock the mysteries of her past by helping her gather clues while speaking to a variety of characters, investigating her surroundings and solving puzzles. This point and click graphic novel adventure game is the sequel to a DS game that actually was released in America. While that title might not have lit the sales charts on fire, it did garner a few fans that would love to try the sequel. It was released in Europe, so it does have an English translation. Why not release it here and pick up a few extra bucks?
Zangeki No Reginleiv
This is perhaps the most mind boggling exclusion on this list. Developed by Sandlot, makers of Earth Defense Force 2017, this game follows a similar premise- but instead of defending the earth from giant insect aliens you are defending towns from mythological giants. The game features Wii Motion Plus so that gamers could accurately chop monsters into pieces and online support so friends could fight them co-operatively, two things that aren't seen that often on the Wii. This game was actually shown in the U.S. at E3 a few years back under the name "Dynamic Slash." I am wondering what has happened since then that has made Nintendo decide not to release it here. Could it be that they are afraid to publish a game with such intense gore because they are afraid it will tarnish their image here? Why not stick it, and every other Mature rated game, in a black game case like they did in Japan?
Those aren't all of the games Nintendo has neglected to localize, only some of the best. Other games, like Takt of Magic, will become lost in the sands of time. Here's hoping Monolith Soft's newest RPG, Xenoblade, doesn't meet the same fate. It is a beautiful game that is sure to find a following here as well as set the stage for Mistwalker's attempt at Final Fantasy killer, The Last Story. These games might not bring in as much cash as New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but they would play an important part in changing the Wii's perception as a game system for soccer moms and their children, something that might end up selling even more systems and games in the future.